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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-295AUGUST 26, 2008 08-295 RESOLUTION (CARRIED 7-0 LOST LAID OVER WITHDRAWN ) PURPOSE: ADOPT ICLEI'S FIVE MILESTONES TO REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS AND AIR POLLUTION EMISSIONS /REQUEST ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT ADVISORY BOARD TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPLEMENT FIVE MILESTONES AND SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES INITIATED BY: COUNCIL MEMBER JESSICA KING WHEREAS, scientific consensus has developed that carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere have a profound effect on the Earth's climate; and WHEREAS, the 2007 Fourth Assessment Report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) states that it is very likely that most of the observed increases in globally averaged temperatures since the mid-20t" century are due to human-induced greenhouse gas emissions; and WHEREAS, in 2006 the U.S. National Climatic Data Center confirmed clear evidence of human influences on climate due to changes in greenhouse gases; and WHEREAS, the U.S. Conference of Mayors endorsed the 2005 U.S. Mayors' Climate Protection Agreement initiated by Seattle Mayor Nickels and signed by more than 750 mayors in the United States as of February 2008; and WHEREAS, the Urban Environmental Accords adopted by local government delegates during UN World Environment Day 2005 call for reduced emissions through energy efficiency, land use and transportation planning, waste reduction, and wiser energy management; and WHEREAS, in 2003 the American Geophysical Union adopted a Statement noting that human activities are increasingly altering the Earth's climate and that natural influences cannot explain the rapid increase in near-surface temperatures observed during the second half of the 20t" century; and WHEREAS, in 2001, at the request of the Administration, the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) reviewed and declared global warming a real problem likely due to human activities; and WHEREAS, the 2000 U.S. Global Change Research Program's (USGCRP) First National Assessment indicated that global warming has begun; and WHEREAS, 162 countries including the United States pledged under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions; and AUGUST 26, 2008 08-295 RESOLUTION CONT'D WHEREAS, energy consumption, specifically the burning of fossil fuels, accounts for more than 80% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions; and WHEREAS, local government actions taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase energy efficiency provide multiple local benefits by decreasing air pollution, creating jobs, reducing energy expenditures, and saving money for the local government, its businesses, and its residents; and WHEREAS, the Cities for Climate Protection® Campaign sponsored by ICLEI -Local Governments for Sustainability has invited the City of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, to join ICLEI and become a partner in the Cities and Counties Climate Protection Program; WHEREAS, ICLEI has established five milestones to reduce greenhouse gas and air pollution emissions throughout communities as listed below: - Conduct a greenhouse gas emissions inventory and forecast to determine the source and quantity of greenhouse gas emissions in the jurisdiction; - Establish a greenhouse gas emissions reduction target; - Develop an action plan with both existing and future actions which when implemented will meet the local greenhouse gas reduction target; - Implement the action plan; and - Monitor and report progress. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Oshkosh will pursue initiatives consistent with ICLEI's five milestones to reduce both greenhouse gas and air pollution emissions throughout the community, and specifically: BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Oshkosh requests assistance from ICLEI's Cities for Climate Protection Campaign as it progresses through the milestones. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Common Council requests the Energy & Environment Advisory Board to make recommendations to implement of ICLEI's five milestones. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Energy and Environment Advisory Board through its Municipal and Community Education Outreach Subcommittees recommend to the Common Council sustainability initiatives that may be implemented by the City and the community.